Undergraduate Study / Programs / Honors & Combined DegreesMurphy Scholars Program
The Murphy Scholars Program supports McCormick undergraduates in their pursuit of innovative, impactful, self-directed projects of interest to them, with support from faculty advisers. These projects center on diverse activities which can include on-campus research, design projects, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary ventures, or off-campus scholarly work.
Murphy Scholars receive dedicated support including:
- Weekly seminars to meet and network with field-leading researchers and innovators across Northwestern
- A transdisciplinary peer community of Murphy Scholars
- Faculty Fellows who serve as supplementary advisers
- Access to dedicated funds to support independent projects
Students must apply to the program in winter of their first year, and all majors are eligible.
Murphy Project
Participants in the Murphy Scholars Program define and pursue an independent project during their four years at Northwestern. A key goal of Murphy Scholars program activities is to support students in the identification and refinement of their project idea. This includes exposing students to areas of research and other scholarly activities at Northwestern that are available for student involvement. Example of project types include the following:
- laboratory research
- design
- entrepreneurial activities
- public policy
- interdisciplinary ventures (e.g., work at the interface of engineering and art, the humanities, or the law)
Advising
Murphy Scholars are advised by an interdisciplinary team of Faculty Fellows, who work with scholars over the course of their time at Northwestern. Fellows serve as supplementary advisers on matters including career development, Murphy Project identification and pursuit, and other matters of student interest.
In addition to the Faculty Fellows, each student identifies a faculty mentor for their individual project to obtain additional support and domain-specific expertise and guidance.
Seminars
Murphy Scholars take part in an interdisciplinary seminar series called Engineering Dialog, which is organized and presented by Faculty Fellows and Scholars from the program.
Presentations cover diverse topics and change with each quarter.
Coursework and Degrees
Students in the Murphy Scholars Program may follow an existing undergraduate curriculum or design their own curriculum through McCormick’s Integrated Engineering Studies degree program.
To supplement their studies, some Murphy Scholars also pursue a minor, a second major, or a certificate.
Extracurricular Activities
Murphy Scholars are involved in a wide variety of activities on campus and throughout the community, often taking leadership roles in their organizations.
Learn more about student groups and personal development opportunities at McCormick.
How to Apply
First year students from all McCormick majors are invited to apply for admission into the program in winter quarter of each year. No prior research experience is required. Application information will be posted here and distributed by email.
